Temperature regulator for electrical appliances



June 1s, 1946.

B. F. WADDELL TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FR ELECTRICAL ATPLIANCES Filed Sept. 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS June 18, 1946. B. F. WADDELL v 2,402,354

TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Filed sept. 2, 1939 s sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented June 18, 1946 TEMPERATURE REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIICAL APPLIANCES Benson F. Waddell, Newark, N. J., assignor to The Wilcolator Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of, Delaware Application seltember 2, 1939, serial No. 293,171

15 Claims. 1

y This invention relates* to regulators for controlling the temperature in electrical appliances,

such as ovens, and the like, and has particular reference to a novel regulator for this use which is operable selectively by a temperature adjustment handle to place either of two independent heating circuits under automatic control of a thermostat to the exclusion of the other or to place both of the circuits under control of the thermostat during a preheating cycle after which one of the circuits is automaticallyrendered inoperative while the other remains under thermostatic control. The new regulator is of compact construction and is reliable in operation.

One feature of the invention resides in th provision of a novel temperature regulator including control means operable by rotation of a temperature adjustment handle from its off position to energize an oven baking element while maintaining a broiling element near the top of the oyen inoperative and then, on further rotation of the handle to an intermediate temperature setting, to Venergize the broiling element along with the baking element during a preheating cycle, the control means being also operable automatically by a thermostat to controlthe baking element in accordance with the temperature setting of the handle and, if a preheating cycle is initiated, to maintain the broling element in,

by direct radiation from the top of the oven, but' also to preheat the oven in conjunction with the baking element when the food is to be baked at or above the intermediate temperature. Accordingly, the oven may be heated to such a baking temperature more rapidly than in prior constructions wherein the broling element is always de-energized when the baking element is operating.

Another feature of the invention resides in the 'provision of a temperature regulator for controlling -two independent heating circuits, s uch as baking and broling circuits, by a novel control mechanism including a snap element operable both manually and thermostatcally to produce a snap action at its ends. In the preferred construction, the snap element is operated by a thermostat through a .connection which is adjustable by a handle, and by rotating thehandle from its off position the snap element isactuated manually to permit closingof thecircuits, whereupon further rotation of the handle adjusts the connection to determine the temperature at lwhich the thermostat returns the snap element fluence of the snap element and its corresponding circuit maintained deenergized while the other connecting means controls its circuit in accordance with the movements of the snap element.

Still another feature 'of the invention is inthe provision of a novel temperature regulator including a casingV containing a unitary control mechanism which is operable both manually and thermostatically with a snap action to control two independent heating circuits and which is manually adjustable to different temperature settings. The control 'mechanism preferably includes a compensatingelement for counteracting ambient temperature changes and may be readily removed from or inserted in the casing as a unit.

These and other features of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating one form of the new regulator. In the drawings- Fig. l is aV plan view o f a regulator made in accordance with the invention, showing diagrammatically a pair of independent heating elements connected thereto;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the regulator shown in Fig. 1 with the bottom cover removed;

Fig. 3.is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a reduced sectional view on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3; 1

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on 'the line 5-5 in Fig. l;

Figs. 6 and "7 are sectional views on the lines 8-6 and 'l-i`l,-respectively, in Fig. 1, with parts of the regulator removed;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of part of the control means illustrated in Fig. 5, showing the snap element-in a different position;

-' Fig. 9 is a detail view of a compensator forming part of the control mechanism;

Fig. is a detail view of a pressure plate which engages the snap element; A

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the snap element;

Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional views of the snap element;

Fig. i4 is a sectional view on the line |4|4 in Fig. 3, showing one position of the control mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 Ishowing the control mechanism in a different position;

Fig. 16 is a sectionalview on the line |6-| 6 in Fig. 15, with parts of the regulator removed;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Figs. 14 and 15 showing the control mechanism in a third position;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line Iii-I8 in Fig. 17, with parts of the regulator removed;

Fig. 19 is a detail view of the cam of the control mechanism; l'

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of a modified form of the regulator with parts of the regulator removed;

Fig. 21 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of the regulator shown in Fig. 20.

The new regulator, as shown, comprises a casing having an upper section 2|) and a lower section 2| held together by screws 22. The lower section 2| is made'oi insulating material and carries a pair of terminal members 23 adapted for connection to the two sides of a current source (not shown). Each of the terminals 23 is secured to the bottom of section 2| over a movable contact arm 24, the two arms 24 being parallel and connected at their free ends by a cross piece 25 made of insulating material. A contact 26 near the tree end of each arm 24 coacts with a nxed contact 21 on aterminal 28 projecting from the side of section 2| opposite the terminals 23. Each terminal 23 is formed with a lateral extension, as shown in Fig. 2, which carries a xed contact 23a coacting with a movable contact 3|) on a spring arm 3|, the two arms 3| being disposed outside the arms 24 in parallel relation thereto and being connected by a cross piece 32 of insulating material. bottom of section 2| in co tact with a terminal 33 adjacent one of the terminals 28. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminals 23 are connected to the opposite sides of a heating element 34, such as the baking element in an oven, while the terminals 33 are connected to the opposite sides of a second independent heating element 35, such as a broiling element. i

The spring arms 24 and 3| tend to urge their respective contacts 25 and 3|) into engagement with the fixed contacts 23a and 21, but the contacts are normally held disengaged against the spring action of the arms by a control means to be described presently, whereby the heating elements are normally de-energized. When the spring arms 24 are released, they engage the contacts 26 with contacts 21 and establish a circuit from the current source through one of the terminals 23,

. the arm 24 connected thereto, the corresponding contacts 25 and 21 and the respective terminal 23, the baking element 34, the other terminal 23, its corresponding contacts 21 and 25 to the other terminal '23 andthe other side of the current source so as to energize the baking element.

` sections. 2|) and 2|.

Each arm 3| is secured to the Likewise, when the spring arms 3| are released, i

minal 23, whereby the broiling element is energized. A cover 35 made oi insulating material may be secured to the bottom of the casing by a screw 31 to conceal and protect the contacts.

An adjustment screw 40 is threaded through cross arm 25 intermediate its ends and engages the head of an insulating pin 4| which extends upwardly through the bottom of section 2|. Mounted on top of the pin 4| is a larger pin 42 which is slidable vertically and extends through an opening in a plate 43 held between the casing Similarly, a second adjustment screw 44 is threaded through the cross arm 32 intermediate its ends and engages the head of an insulating pin 45 slidable vertically in the bottom of the casing and supporting a larger pin 46 which extends through an opening near the opposite end of the plate 43. Near their upper ends, the pins 42 and 46 are formed with shoulders adapted to engage the bottom of a snap element 41, and above the shoulders the pins are provided with reduced extensions 42a and 46a, respectively, which project through openings near the opposite ends of the snap element. -The snap element, which may be made of sheet metal, is

generally rectangular and provided with slots 45 radiating from the central portion thereof toward each corner, the metal between the ends of the slots and the respective corners being bent into a U-shape, as shown at 49 in Fig. 11. Thus, the effective perimeter of the snap element is reduced and it normally assumes a dished or concavoconvex form, as shown in Figs. 12 and` 13.

The snap element is seated on the heads of upwardly projecting pins 5|, the heads of the pins being secured to the top of plate 43 and the shanks of the pins projecting upwardly through openings in the snap element and through aligned openings in a pressure plate 52. The plate 52 is formed on its bottom surface with a pair of narrow detents 53 engaging the top surface oi the snap element inwardly from the pins 5 I. Also,

the pressure plate is provided with downwardly projecting bosses around the openings through which the pins 5| project. Supported on the ends of pressure plate 52 is a bimetallic compensator 54 which, as shown, is corrugated and is free to iiex relative to the pressure plate. The plate 52 and the compensator are held in posi tion by a U-shaped retaining strap 55, the legs of which extend downwardly and are formedwith slots '55a through which 1ugs'52a and 54a on the pressure plate and compensator, respectively, project. fI'he strap 55 is secured by lugs 43a which project from plate 43 through slots in the legs of the retainer near the lower ends thereof.

Within the housing section 2| is a cup-shaped member 51 formed at its open end with a flange 51a secured to the lower tace of plate 43. Sealed to an annulus -58 in the cup-shaped member is a metallic bellows 59 which forms with the annulus and the cup-shaped member on expansible and contractible chamber 50. A capillary tube 6| leads from the chamber` through a slot 2|a in the casing to a bulb 5|a which is adapted to be mounted in the oven and subjected Vto the 'heat of the baking and broiling elements 34 and 35. The bulb, the tube .and the chamber are iilled with a thermo-responsive liquid, such as chlorinated diphenol.

g The bottom of the bellows 59 is adapted to engage and displace the head of a pin 62 disposed in the bellows and projecting upwardly through a central opening in plate 43 and through aligned openings in the snap element and plate 52. The

pin 62. as shown, is hollow and has a rod 63 threaded therein, the` rod projecting 'upwardly through theend of the pin and through openings in compensator 54 and retainer 55. A shoulder on the rod is urged'downwardly against the upper surface of the retainer 55 by a spring 64 coiled around pin 62 between the head thereof a reduced extension of shaft 61 projects, and lock nuts 1| are screwed on the reduced end of the shaft to hold a shoulder on the shaft against the head of the sleeve, whereby the shaft and sleeve rotate together. A temperature adjustment handle 12 is mounted on the sleeve head 10 and is adapted to rotate the sleeve and the shaft through keys 13. The handle is removable from the sleeve head to permit loosening of the nuts 1i and relative adjustment of shaft 61 and sleeve 68, as will be described in detail presently. As shown in Fig. 1, the handle is provided on its face` with indicia indicating an off position and a broiling position and with suitable temperature graduations. The regulator may be secured to a panel 14 of the range by a nut 15 threaded on the boss 69 which projects through the panel, and the latter may be provided with a xed index 16 with reference to which the handle is adjusted.

Supported on and rotatable with the sleeve 68 is a cam plate 18 having an arcuate cam 19 on its lower face near the periphery of the plate. The cam 19 is formed with a gradual slope at its ends, as shown at 19a, and is adapted to engage the upper ends of the pins 42 and 46 and depress the pins on rotation of the handle 12. A pin 60 fixed to the cam plate projects upwardly into an arcuate groove 8l formedin the casing section 20 and serves to limit the rotation of the handle by engagement with the enjds of the groove. Diametrically opposite thecam 19 is a finger 82 prolecting radially from the cam plate and having a notch in its end.

Mounted loosely on the sleeve 68 between the cam plate 18 and the top of the casing is an arm 83 havingv an arcuate slot 84 therein through which the pin 80 projects, whereby rotation of vthe arm 83 relative to the cam plate is limitedv by engagement of pin 86 with the ends of the slot 84. At its end, the arm 83 is provided with a pointed finger 85 and with an ear 86 which is .bent downwardly along the side of cam 19, one edge of the ear being beveled to form a cam surface 86a. 'Ihe flnger 85 is adapted to actuate a tumbler 88 secured to a side Wall of the casing and having a sharp projection 89 engageable by the finger 85. At its free end the tumbler is provided with a stop 90 which normally overlies the top of pin 46 and maintains the pin in a depressed position. However, when the projection 660i the tumbleris engaged by nger 85, the stop 96 is forced outwardly against the spring action of the tumbler and releases the pin 46.

The operation of the regulator is as follows: When the oven is at room temperature and the handle 12 is in its olf position, the pin 62 is seated against the end of the bellows, and the snap element 41 assumes its normal, uniiexed position, shown in Figs. 8 and 18, since the plate 52 exerts only a slight pressure on the snap ele- 6 ment. The pins 42 and 46 are held in their de'- pressed positions by cam 18 and stop 96, respectively, as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, so that the peratureof 370 F. or more,

baking and broiling circuits cannot be energized by accidental operation of thesnap element.

When the oven is to be used for baking at a relatively low temperature, the handle 12 is turned clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, so as to screw the rod 63 into the hollow =pin 62. This results in an increase in the pressure of the rod against the retainer strap 55, and the increased pressure is transmitted through the compensator 54 to the pressure plate 52 which acts through detents 53 to force the snap element 41 to a flexed position of opposite curvature. During this rotation of the handle, the cam 16 vis moved from its normal position over pin 42, and, accordingly, when the ends of the snap element flex upwardly under the action of the pressure plate, as shown in Fig. 3,the pin 42 rises under the action of spring arms 24 and engages its shoulder with the snap element, whereby the circuit' through baking element 34 is closed. Thereafter, further rotation of the handle in a clockwise direction acts to ample 370 F., the oven is gradually heated byl the baking element and the fluid in the bulb 6|a expanded so as to collapse the bellows 59 and cause the end thereof to reengage pin 62. Further expansion of the thermo-responsive fluid then causes the Ibellows to move the pin 62 upwardly against spring 64 and release the pressure of rod 63 on the retainer strap 55 and the pressure plate 52. When the oven is heated to the temperature for which the handle is set, the pressure of plate 52 on the snap element is released suiliciently to allow the latter to snap back to its normal position and depress the pin 42, whereby the baking circuit is deenergized.

As the oven cools, the thermo-responsive liquid in bulb 61a contracts and allows spring 64 to expand the vbellows and move the pin 62 down-` wardly so as to increase the pressure on the strap 55 and plate 52 until the snap element moves to its flexed position and permits the pin 42 to move upwardly to -its closed circuit positionv wherein the baking element is again energized. This action is repeated to maintain a substantially uniform temperature in the oven. It will be observed that during this action of the snap element, the locking member 96 remains in its operative position over the pin 46 so that the latter is held depressed to prevent energizing of the broiling circuit.

When the oven is to be used for baking at a relatively high temperature, for example, a tema preheating cycle is initiated which heats the oven rapidly by the simultaneous operation of both heating elements. More particularly, in turning the handle clockwise, the friction -between arm 83 and the top of the casing or the engagement of ear 86 with the tumbler .projection 88 holds the arm 83 stationary until the pin 60 on the cam plate engages the end of slot 64 in the arm, as shown in Fig. 14. When position over pin 48,r and the latter, therefore, is held in its depressed position only by the cam 18. When the `tip of finger 85 meets the tip o1' the tumbler projection 89, as shown in Fig. 14,

projection 88. As a result, the pin 46 rises under ,l

the action of spring arms 3|,and the stop 90 moves inwardly against the side of the pin, the inward movement of projection 88 serving to supplement the action of pin 46 and cam face 88a.. in shifting the arm 83 relative to cam plate 18. Thus, the broiling circuit is energized and supplements the action of the baking circuit in heating the oven to the relatively high temperature for which the dial is set.

When the oven is heated to the desired temperature, the pressure on snap element 41 is diminished by upward movement of rod 63 under the action of the bellows, so that the snap element returns to its initial position shown in Fig. 18 and depresses the pins 42 `and 48, thereby deenerglzing the heating elements, As soon as the pin 48 is depressed by the snap element,. the stop 80 is urged inwardly bythe tumbler to its initial position over the top of the pin, so that on cooling of the oven and subsequent movement of the snap element under pressure to its flexed position the baking circuit alone is energized and the broiling circuit remains inoperative. Thus, the pin 42 may be moved up and down in response to thermostatic flexing oi the snap element so as to alternately energize and deenergize the baking element, but the pin 48 for the broiling circuit is held permanently by the stop 80 in its depressed, open circuit position out of the influence or the snap element.

When it is desired to use the oven for broiling, the handle 12 is rotated clockwise to the end of its range of movement where the-index mark Broil" `is opposite the fixed index on the panel. As the handle moves into this position, the finger 82 on the cam plate engages the tumbler projection 89 and holds the stop 80 away from its normal position over pin 48, and the sloping surface 18a at the leading end of cam 18 rides onto the top of pin 42 and depresses the latter so as to open the baking circuit. As soon as the stop 98 is moved outwardly by i'lnger 82, the pin 48 moves upwardly under the action of spring arms 8l so that the broiling element is energized. When the oven is heated to the broiling temperature, the snap ele.. ment 41 moves back to its normal position and depresses the broiling pin 48, thereby deenergizing ment cannot be energized.

When the oven is to be turned oil, the handle 12 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, and if the broiling `pin 48 is in its elevated. open circuit position, the sloping end 18a of the cam 18 rides onto the top of the pin and deprcsses it, so that when the linger 88 and ear 88 have passed the tumbler projection 8l. the

stop 8l moves inwardly to its normal locking position over the top `of pin 48. Then, as the handle moves to its off position, the sloping end of cam 18 rides onto the baking pin 42 and depresses the latter so as to open the baking circuit.

Due to the action of the broiling pin 46 on the cam face 86a, the parts are prevented from assuming a dead position in which both the baking circuit and the broiling circuit continue to operate under control of the snap element. Thus, the `two heating elements are energized simultaneously only during a preheating cycle when the temperature adjustment handle is set for baking at or above anl intermediate temperature, such as 370 deg. and as soon as the preheating cycle is completed and the snap element moves to its normal unilexed position, the stop 90 moves back into position over the broiling pin 4E to prevent further operation of the baking circuit. When the handle is set for a baking temperature below the intermediate temperature, the broiling element is maintained inoperative by the stop 90. but the cam 19 releases the baking pin 42 so that the shoulder of the latter moves intooperative relation to the snap element. Conversely, when the handle is set for broiling, the baking pin 42 is held by cam 19 in its depressed, open circuit position so that it is no longer under control ol the snap element, but the broilipg pin 46 is released by the action of linger 82 on the tumbler 88, whereby the shoulder of pin 4,6 is heldin operatlve relation to the snap element by spring arms 3l.

The regulator may be calibrated by removing the handle 12', loosening the lock nuts 1l and rotating shaft 61 relative to the sleeve 88 so as to turn rod 83 and adjust the position of pin 62. Any changes in ambient temperature are counteracted by ilexing of the compensator 54 relative to the pressure plate. That is, if the outside tem perature should rise and heat the liquid in chamber so as to collapse the bellows, the compen- .sator 54 iiexes and moves its ends downwardly to increase the pressure on plate 52, whereby the tendency for rod 83 to move upwardly on collapsing of the bellows is counteracted. Conversely, if the outside temperature decreases, the compensator 54 ilexes in the opposite direction and tends to relieve the pressure on the plate 52, It will be apparent that movement oi' the pin 62 and rod 83 under the action of the bellows and the spring 84 is accommodated by a sliding movement of lugs 88 in the slots 8B of the temperature adjust ment shaft.

The control mechanism of the regulator, including the bellows assembly, the snap element assembly and the adjustable connecting members 82 and 83, may be removed as a unit from the casing by detaching the casing section 20 from the section 2| and removing, the plate 43. The pin and slot connection 65, E6 permit easy removal of the upper section 20 together with the handle, the adjustment shaft 61 and the cam plate 18. Accordingly, the regulator may be readily assembled or taken apart for repair.

The modified form of regulator shown in part in Fig. 20 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. l to ,19, inclusive, except that an additional contact l2 is provided below each spring arm 3i. Each contact 82 coacts with a contact 83 on the lower face of ,the corresponding arm 3| and is mounted on a spring arm 84 secured to the bottom cover I8 in engagement with a terminal 8i. A screw 8l mounted on cover 88 below each arm 9 9i is adjustable to vary the position of the arm relative to th'e corresponding arm 3|. This form of regulator is adapted for use in connection with a standard three wire circuit including two wires 91 having a potential of 220 volts between them and a third 110 volt neutral line 98 which is grounded, as shown in Fig, 21. The wires 91 are connected to the terminals 23, and .the neutral 'Wire 98 is connected through a, resistor 99 to one' of th'e terminals 92, the other termina1 92 being connected by a wire ing element 34.

The operation of the regulator is the same as that of the regulator shown in Figs. 1 to 19, inclusive, except that when the broi1 pin 46 and springs arms 3| are locked in their depressed positions by stop 90 and the baking switch 24-21 is closed to energize the baking element, the contacts 93 engage contacts 92 and establish a supplemental heating circuit traceable from neutral wire 98 through resistor 99, contact 92, arm 3l, broiling element 35, the other arm 3| and its coacting contact 92, wire |00, and the bakev switch 24-21 to one side 91 of the 220 Volt line. 'I'his supplemental heating circuit serves to balance the heating of the oven by providing a small amount of heat from above during the baking period. Since the supplemental circuit is energized through thebake switch 24-21 it is under the direct control of that switch and'operates only wh'en the bake switch is closed and the double-throw broil switch 3| is depressed against contacts 92. It will be observed that when the broil switch 3 |-23a is closed, :the broil element 35 is connected directly across the power line 91, as in the regulator shown in Figs. 1 toA 19. Also, when the handle/12 open bake switch 24-21 assures deenergizing of the broil element 35.

It will be understood that the baking element 34 and the broiling element 35 may be interchanged in the circuit shown in Fig. 21 and the esistor 99 replaced by a small heating coil near the top of the oven adjacent the broiling element. In this case, the small heating unit near the top of the oven is energized when the main baking element 34 is deenergized, thus reducing variations in the oven temperature.

In my new regulator, the operation is entirely automatic except for the manual adjustment of the handlel to the desired temperature setting. In this connection, the preh'eating cycle is initiated automatically by the normal rotation of the handle from its off position or from a low temperature setting up to or above a. predetermined intermediate setting at which the stop 90 for ythe broiling pin is releasedy and it is not necessary to perform a manual cooking or the like, to release the start the preheating cycle.

I claim:

l. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination of two switches for controlling :two heaters, thermo-responsive mechanism for con- .trolling lthe switches including an element responsive to temperature changes, a handle for adiusting said mechanism to diierent temperature settings, means operable on rotation of the handle from an eff position to a predetermined intermediate temperat-ure setting position to cause broiling switch and both switches to close, means responsive to opening of one switch upon thermostatic operation of said-mechanism for locking the switch in its open position out of the influence of said mechanism while the other switch remains under control of is in its oi position, the' operation,

to one side of the bakl the mechanism, and means operable on rotation of the handle beyond said intermediate temperatu're setting position .to lock said last switch' in its open position out of the influence of said mechanism while the rst switch is under control of the mechanism.

2. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination of two switches for controlling two heaters, an element responsive to temperature changes, mechanism operable by said element for controlling the switches, a. handle for adjusting said element and saidnmechanism to different temperature settings, means operable on rotation of the handle from an off position to a predetermined intermediate temperature setting position to cause both switches -to close, means responsive to subsequent thermostatic operation of said mechanism for locking one of the switches in its openv position out of the influence of said mechanism while the other switch' is under the control of the mechanism, and means operable on rotation of the handle beyond said predetermined intermediate temperature setting position to lock said last switch in its open position out of the influence of saidmechanism while the first switch is under the control of the mechanism.

3. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination of two switches for controlling two heaters, thermo-responsive mechanism for controlling the switches including an element responsive to temperature changes, a handle for adjusting said mechanism to diierent temperature settings, said mechanism being operable manually on rotation of the handle from an off position to a predetermined intermediate temperature setting position for closing both switches, means responsive to Vsubsequent opening of one switch upon thermostatic operation of said mechanism for locking the switch in its open position out of the influence of said mechanism While the other switch remains under the control of the mechanism, and means operable on rotaftion of the handle beyond said predetermined intermediate temperature setting position to lock said last switch in its open position out of the inuence of said mechanism while the first switch is under control of the mechanism.

4. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination of two switches for controlling two heaters, an element responsive to temperature changes, mechanism operable by said last element for controlling the switches, a temperature adjustment handle for varying the response of the mechanism to operation of the thermo-responsive element and movable from an off position to a predetermined intermediate temperature setting position to cause both switches to close, locking means responsive to subsequent opening of the switches by said mechanism for rendering one of the switches inoperable by the mechanism, and means operable by movement of the handle to a predetermined position beyond said intermediate position for releasing said locking means and for rendering the other switch inoperable by said mechanism.

5. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination of two switches, a snap element one end ofwhich is operable to control one of the switches and the other' end of which is operable to control the other switch, means responsive to temperature changes for actuating said snap element to move the ends thereof with a snap action, temperature adjustment means operable to vary the response of the snap element to operation of thethermo-responsive means and moveration of the snap element for rendering one of the switches inoperable by said element.

6. In an electrical switching mechanism, the

combination of two switches, a rsnap element one end of which is operable to control one of the switches and the other end of which is operable to control the other lswitch, means responsive to temperature chang for actuating said snap element to move the ends thereof with a snap action, a temperature adjustment handle for varying the response of the vsnap element to operation of the thermo-responsive means and movable from an of! position to actuate the snap element, and means under control of the handle for selectively closing either of said switches while the other switch is under control of the snap element.

'1. In an electric switching mechanism, the combination of two switches, a snap mechanism responsive to temperature changes, a handle for adjusting the mechanism to diiIerent temperature settings, independentconnections between said snap mechanism and the respective switches for actuating the switches, each connection and the snap-acting mechanism being relatively movable into and out of operative relation with respect to each other, and means under control of the handle for selectively moving either of said connections and the snap mechanism relatively out of operative relation with respect to each other, said'means being operable on movement of the handle from an olf position to a predetermined intermediate temperature setting position to render both connections operable by the snap mechanism. v

' 8. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination of two switches, a snap element, an actuating pin for each switch having a shoulder engageable by the snap element and an extension projecting through the snap element, thermo-responsive means for actuating the snap element, a handle for adjusting said means to different temperature settings, cam means movable with the handle for selectively moving either of said pins to disengage its shoulder from the snap element, a locking member normally engaging the extension of one of said pins to hold its shoulder out of engagement with the snap element and means movable with the handle for rendering said locking member inoperative.

9. In an electrical switching mechanism, the combination' of two switches, a supporting plate, a thermo-responsive element mounted on the plate, a pair of relatively adjustable members supported by the plate and movable by the thermo-responsive element, a snap element mounted on the plate and operable by the thermo-respons sive element through said members, independent connecting means between the snap element and the respective switches, said connecting means being movable into and out of operative relation with the snap element, a handle for adjusting said members to different temperature settings, and cam means operable by the handle for selectively moving either of said connecting means out of operative relation with the snap element, said thermo-responsive element, snap element and adjustable members being removable as a unit.

10. In an electrical .switching mechanism, the combination of two switches, an element responsive to temperature changes, mechanism operable by the element for controlling both switches, in-

dependent connecting members between said mechanism and the respective switches, each member being movable` into and out of operative relation to the mechanism, a locking member normally engaging one of the connecting members to hold it out of operative relation to said mechanism and in position to hold open its corresponding switch, a temperatureI adjustment handle for adjusting said mechanism to diil'erent -ating means for the switches,v independent connecting members between said means and the respective switches and movable into and out of operative relation to said means, each member being biased toward its operative position relative to said means, a spring pressed tumbler normally engaging the end of one of said members to hold the same out of operative relation to the actuating means, a cam normally engaging one end of the other connecting member to hold they same out of operative relation to the actuating means, a handle movable from an oil position to disengage the cam from said last member and thereby release the last member, means operable on rotation of the handle to an intermediate position for moving the tumbler away from the first connecting member to release said first member and then releasing the tumbler, whereby the tumbler moves into engagement with the side of said first member, and thermo-responsive mechanism adjustable to different temperature settings by the handle and operable through the actuating means to move said members to positions for opening the switches, whereby the tumbler returns into locking engagement with the end of the flrst member to hold the same out of operative relation to the actuating means.

12. In a control mechanism for a pair of independent switches, the combination of an actuating means for the switches, independent connecting members between said means and the respective switches and movable into and out of operative relation to said means, each member being biased toward its operative position relative to said means, a spring pressed tumbler normally engaging the end of one of said members to hold the same out of operative relation to the actuating means, a plate having a cam normally engaging one end of the other connecting member to hold the same out of operative relation to the actuating means, a handle movable from an off position to rotate the plate and disengage the cam from the second member, an arm movable relative to the plate and having a pin and slot connection therewith, the arm :amusante` ing means for the switches, a spring pressed tumbler normally locking one of the switches in its open position out of the iniiuence of the actuating means, a cam for locking the other switch in its open position out of the influence of said means, a handle rotatable from an off position to move the cam from its locking position, a member movable with the handle and operable on rotation of the handle to an intermediate position to engage the tumbler and move the same out of its locking position, means for moving said member relative to the handle when the member is opposite the tumbler and fox` holding the tumbler out of its locking position, and thermo-responsive means adjustable by the handle to different temperature settings and operable through the actuating means to open the switches and release the tumbler.

14. In a control mechanism'for a pair o f independent switches, the combination of actuating means for the switches, means for locking one of the switches in its open position out of the influence of the actuating means, means for locking the other switch in its open position out of the iniiuence of the actuating means, a handle rotatable from an off position to move said last locking means out of its locking position and maintain the same inoperative, a member movable with the handle and operable on rotation of the handle to an intermediate position to move said first locking means out of its locking posi-4 tion, thermo-responsive means adjustable by the handle to different temperature settings and operable through the actuating means to open the switches. and means responsive to opening of the switches for moving said first locking means back to its locking position while said second locking means is inoperative.

15. In a control mechanism for a pair of independent switches, the combination of actuating means for the switches, means for locking one of the switches in its open position out of the influence of the actuating means, means for locking the other switch in its open position out of the influence of the actuating means, a rotatable adjustment shaft. control means movable with the shaft and adjustable relative thereto, said control means being operable on rotation of the shaft from an off position to move said last locking means out of its locking position and on rotation of the shaft to an intermediate position to move said iirst locking means out of its locking position, thermo-responsive means Aadjustable by the shaft to different temperature settings and operable through the actuating means to open the switches, and means responsive to opening of the switches for moving said nrst locking means back toits locking position while said second locking means is in operative.

` BENSON I". WADDELL. 

